Diaphragm spout assembly

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed herein a spout assembly, such as a tub spout or the like for use in a fluid system employing a diverter valve and shower head or the like. Most of the parts of the assembly may be made of plastic, and the assembly includes a spout body having inlet and outlet chambers and a partition with an aperture therethrough separating the two chambers. A plunger is reciprocally mounted in the outlet chamber, and a portion thereof cooperates with a flexible diaphragm mounted in the aperture in the partition for terminating the flow of water through the spout assembly to thereby cause diverter valve operation, and flow through a shower head or the like in a conventional manner. A lift button is coupled with the plunger by a stem extending into the outlet chamber through a portion of the body. The plunger may include flow directing vanes for directing the flow of fluid from the outlet chamber in a desired manner. An adapter may be included within the inlet chamber of the body for enabling the spout assembly to be coupled with plumbing systems utilizing standard length outlet nipples, thus eliminating the necessity to custom make nipples on the job to fit varying wall thicknesses.

United States Patent 1191 ucknell et a1.

[ 1 3,739,806 1 1 June 19,1973

[ DIAPHRAGM SPOUT ASSEMBLY "Primary ExaminerHarold W. Weakley [75] Inventors: Ernest H. Bucknell, Los Angeles; Aftomey Char 165 Lyon John Young Richard Jack K. Rauh, Hacienda Heights; E gar Lyon et Tony Radecki, Los Angeles, all 0 Cahf 57 ABSTRACT 1 Assignees! Ralph Bletch"; Frederick There is disclosed herein a spout assembly, such as a lhbertson; G Robertsmi Lenora tub spout or the like for use in a fluid system employing Bletcfler; a diverter valve and shower head or the like. Most of Marc"! f Carol Liston; the parts of the assembly may be made of plastic, and James Llston; f d the assembly includes a spout body having inlet and Pearl Bletchel'; M P l 5 outlet chambers and a partition with an aperture there- Trusee Dame Llstom'Ernest through separating the two chambers. A plunger is re- 1J4rt lmeresuo each ciprocally mounted in the outlet chamber, and a por- [22] Filed: Oct 4 1971 tion thereof cooperates with a flexible diaphragm mounted in the aperture in the partition for terminating PP 1861292 the flow of water through the spout assembly to thereby cause diverter valve operation, and flow through a [52] CL 137/359, 87/360 137/119, shower head or the like in a conventional manner. A lift 137/467, 251/172, 4/191, 4/193 button is coupled with the plunger by a stern extending 51 Int. Cl F161 5/00 the Outlet chamber through a Portion of the body- [58] Field of Search 4/198, 191; 137/359, The Plunger may include flow directing vanes for 137/36O 467, v119. 251/172 174 recting the flow of fluid from the outlet chamber in a desired manner. An adapter may be included within the 5 References Cited inlet chamber of the body for enabling the spout assem- UNTED STATES PATENTS bly to be coupled with plumbing systems utilizing standard length outlet nipples, thus eliminating the neces- 3?" sity to custom make nipples on the job to fit varying me a 3,387,816 6/1968 Holycross. 1371119 x wan thlcknesses' 3,419,914 1/1969 Moen 4/148 12 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 3,576,197 4/1971 Bastian 137/359 1 DIAPHRAGM SPOUT ASSEMBLY SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to water spout assemblies, and the like, and relates more particularly to an improved diaphragm diverter spout assembly.

Various types of diverter spout assemblies have been divised, examples being found in U. S. Pat. Nos. 3,086,748; 3,473,558; and 3,419,914. Many prior spout assemblies have been characterized by relatively complex and costly construction, unsuitable operation over a period of timein'providing a proper sealing action during operation thereof, costly fabrication, difficulty of assembly or repair, or the like.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved spout assembly.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new spout assembly wherein the principal parts thereof are composed of plastic.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new diverter spout assembly employing a novel combination of a flexible diaphragm and plunger or nozzle member for selectively terminating flow of fluid through the assembly.

Another object of this invention is to provide a spout assembly having adapter means for facilitating coupling with a plumbing system through walls of varying thicknesses.

These and other objects and features of the present invention will become better understood through a consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional side elevational' view of a spout assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. '2 is a partial cross sectional side elevational view illustrating a plunger or nozzle thereof in an off position to terminate flow through the assembly;

FIG. 3 is a crosssectional view taken along a line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial bottom view taken along a line 44 .of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a partial cross sectional side elevational view illustrating a modification of the present spout assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Turning now to the drawing, an exemplary spout assembly according to the present invention includes a body molded of a suitable plastic material, such as that sold under the name Cycolac. The body includes an inlet chamber 11 and .an outlet chamber 12 defined by a partition 13 separating these chambers. The parti tion 13 is in the form of a wall having a fluid flow aperture l4 therethrough. More specifically, the partition 13 includesa shoulder having, preferably, a round aperture 14 therein. At the upstream side of the partition 13, there is formed an internally threaded cylindrical fitting 17 communicating with the aperture 14 for supplying fluid to the aperture. A flexible diaphragm 19, which will be explained in more detail subsequently, is located in the fitting 17 and is disposed at the central portion of the partition 13 and has a depending portion extending into the aperture 14 of the partition. An adapterll, which may be formed of the same material as the body 10, has a first threaded find 21a which may be threaded into the fitting 17'. shell 22, which may be formed of metal such as stainless steel, is disposed about the exterior of the fitting 17 so as to enable a' secure and liquid tight fit between the adapter 21 and fitting 17.

The other end ofthe adapter 21 may include a flange 23, the periphery of which abuts against the interior wall 24 of the spout body 10. Both the flange 23 and the interior portion 25 of the wall 24 may be circular for allowing the adapter 21 to be inserted and suitably secured into the fitting 17. The adapter 21 also is axially adjustable for a short range, such as up to one-half or one inch as indicated at 25a in FIG. '1. This arrangement enables the spout assembly to be coupled with plumbing systems by standard length nipples, without requiring nipples to be custom made to accomodate walls of different thicknesses.

The shoulder 15 of the partition 13, and a lower portion 26 of the partition 13, have a substantially flat downstream, or outer, face 27 which defines one wall of the outlet chamber 12. The remainder of the outlet chamber 12 is defined by an arcuate portion 29 and a top or cover portion 30. v

A plunger 32 is disposed within the outlet chamber 12 and is mounted for reciprocal movement therein. This plunger includes a substantially flat rear face portion 33 and a plurality of webs 34-41 forming flow defleeting vanes constituting a nozzle. The webs 34 through 36 extend between the rear face portion 33 and a central portion 42 to which is secured the lower end of a stem 43 by means of a clip 44. Both the stem 43 and clip 44 may be formed of stainless steel, and the plunger 32 preferably is formed of the same material as the body 10. A collar 45 is integrally formed with the webs 34-41 and forms a stop in combination with an annular groove 46 in the cover 30 when the plunger 32 is raised to the position shown in FIG. 2.

The stem 43 extends through a bushing portion 47 of the cover 30, and the upper end thereof is secured to a lift button 48 which likewise may beformed of the same material as the body 10. The lift button includes an arcuate skirt 49 overlapping the wall 29 of the body.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the lift button 48, which is external to the body 10, allows manual reciprocal movement of the plunger 32 within the outlet chamber 12. In the position illustrated in FIG. 1, fluid may flow from the adapter 21, through the diaphragm 19, and past the webs or vanes 34 through 41 to the exterior of the spout. When the lift button 48 is raised to the position shown in FIG. 2, the opening of the diaphragm 19 is sealed by the rear face portion 33 of the plunger 32, thereby terminating fluid flow to the outlet chamber 12. When the lift button 48 is raised as shown in FIG. 2, fluid pressure acting on the diaphragm l9 and face portion 33 of the plunger 32 causes both a seal between the downstream edge or face of the diaphragm 19 and the abutting face 33 of the plunger, and sufficient force on the plunger to prevent the same from falling back to the on position shown in FIG. 1.

Turning again to the flexible diaphragm 19, the same may be made of a suitable rubber material, such as Shore E.P.R. The diaphragm includes a depending substantially cylindrical portion 50 terminating at the downstream end in an edge of face 51 which cooperates with the upstream face of. the member 33 of the plunger 32. The other end of the diaphragm is of the nature of an integrally formed V-shaped flange 53 having an inwardly inclined annular leg 54 and terminating in an outwardly inclined annular leg 55. The outer apex of the legs 54 and 55 abuts the upstream surface 56 of the shoulder 15 of the partition 13, and the outer edge of the leg 55 abuts a cylindrical cavity 57 at the downstream end of the fitting 17 at the interface of the fitting 17 and shoulder 15. ln this manner, the force of water on the diaphragm l9, and particularly on the upstream groove formed by the V-shaped portion 53, causes the outer apex to bear against the upstream face 56 of the shoulder 15, and the outer leg 55 to bear against the interior wall of the cavity 57, as well as causes the face 51 to bear against the upstream face of the member 33 of the plunger, to provide a good seal when the plunger is in its upper position as shown in FIG. 2. On the other hand, the diaphragm does not prevent the plunger 32 from falling to the position shown in FIG. 1 when water is turned off at the supply.

If desired, a coil spring may be coaxially mounted about the bushing 47 and collar 45, with the ends thereof abutting the underside of the cover 30 and top of the plunger 32, to bias the plunger to its lower position. Also, the plunger 32 may be secured by a stem in the form of a bolt, with the head of the bolt taking the place of the clip 44. In this case, a sleeve may be disposed about the bolt between the lift button 48 and the plunger 32 to rigidly secure together, and properly space, the plunger with respect to the lift button.

FIG. illustrates a modification of the spout assembly, principally in the construction of the spout body 60 which may be formed either of metal or of plastic material. If formed of metal, preferably a plastic collar 61 is provided at an aperture 62 in a partition 63. The flexible diaphragm 64 is the same as the diaphragm l9, and the plunger 65 may be the same as the plunger 32 and have a similar rear face portion 66. A lift button 67 is coupled by means of a stem 68 with the plunger 65.

The present embodiments of this invention are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restric tive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within ghe meaning and range of equivalency of the claims therefore are intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is: l. A diverter spout assembly comprising body means having a fluid inlet chamber and a fluid outlet chamber separated by a partition having an aperture therein, said inlet chamber having means adaptable for connection with a supply of fluid,

flexible diaphragm means extending into said aperture in said partition, said diaphragm means having an opening therein through which fluid may flow and having a surface facing said outlet chamber, and

plunger means movably mounted in said outlet chamber, said plunger means having at least an opening therein for allowing fluid to flow from said outlet chamber to the exterior of said spout assembly, said plunger means being movable within said outlet chamber substantially traverse to the axis of said diaphragm means and including a member cooperating with said surface of said diaphragm means when said plunger means is in a closed position to prevent flow of liquid through said opening in said diaphragm means to said outlet chamber.

2. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein said partition has an upstream face at said aperture therein, and said diaphragm means includes a flanged portion abutting said face of said partition and a depending portion extending through said aperture in said partition.

3. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein said plunger means include lift button means coupled with a plunger body by stem means extending through an opening in a portion of said body means defining said outlet chamber for enabling reciprocal movement of said plunger body by said lift button means, and

said member of said plunger means includes a flat surface on said plunger body for engaging said surface of said diaphragm means, and said plunger body includes a plurality of liquid directing vanes.

4. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein said body means and plunger means are formed of plastic material.

5. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein said partition includes a shoulder defining said aperture in said partition, and said shoulder has upstream and downstream faces, and

said flexible diaphragm means includes a first portion extending through said aperture and terminating in said surface facing said outlet chamber, and includes a second portion which is inclined and bears against said upstream face of said shoulder and defines an upstream groove in said diaphragm means for enabling fluid pressure within said inlet chamber to aid in sealing said diaphragm means at said partition and with the member of said plunger means when said plunger means is in closed position.

6. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein said partition has a shoulder defining said aperture therein, and

said diaphragm means includes an upstream substantially V-shaped portion having an apex for contacting the upstream face of said shoulder of said partition, and including a depending skirt terminating in said surface facing said outlet chamber for engaging said member of said plunger means when said plunger means is in a closed position.

7. An assembly as in claim 6 including adapter means mounted in the inlet chamber of said body means and coupled with said partition for supplying fluid from said inlet chamber through said opening in said diaphragm means.

8. An assembly as in claim 6 wherein said plunger means includes external lift button means coupled with a plunger body by stem means extending through an opening in a portion of said body means defining said outlet chamber for enabling reciprocal movement of said plunger body by said'lift button means, and

said member of said plunger means includes an up stream flat surface on said plunger body for engaging said surface of said depending portion of said diaphragm means.

9. An assembly as in claim 6 wherein said body means and plunger means are formed of plastic material.

10. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein said partition includes a fluid inlet connector, and including adapter means mounted in the inlet chamber of said body means and having a second end adapted to be coupled with a plumbing system, said adapter means being adjustably mounted within said body means while coupled with said connector to enable said spout assembly to be coupled with a plumbing system through walls of different thicknesses. 11. A vdiverter spout assembly comprising body means having a partition therein, said partition having an aperture therethrough and an upstream face about said aperture terminating in an inlet connector,

flexible diaphragm means mounted in said body plunger means movably mounted in said outlet chamber, said plunger means having an opening therein for allowing fluid to flow from said outlet chamber to the exterior of said spout assembly, said plunger means including a face member cooperating with said surface of said depending skirt of said diaphragm means when said plunger means is moved to a closed position to prevent flow of liquid through said passageway to said outlet chamber. 12. A spout assembly comprising body means having a fluid inlet chamber and a fluid outlet chamber separated by a partition having an aperture therein,

flexible diaphragm means extending into said aperture in said partition, said diaphragm means having an opening therein through which fluid may flow and having a surface facing said outlet chamber,

plunger means movably mounted in said outlet chamber, said plunger means being movable within said outlet chamber substantially traverse to the axis of said diaphragm means, and including a member cooperating with said surface of said diaphragm means when said plunger means is in a closed position to prevent flow of liquid through said opening in said diaphragm means to said outlet chamber,

connector means coupled with said partition for supplying fluid through said aperture in said partition, and

adapter means mounted within said inlet chamber for connecting said spout assembly to a plumbing system, said adapter means including a member having a first end adjustably coupled with said connector in a relatively fluid-tight relationship, and having a second end adapted to be coupled with a plumbing system, said member being supported within said inlet chamber of said body means and beingaxially adjustable for enabling the spout assembly to be coupled with a plumbing system through walls of different thicknesses by standard length nipple means.

Disclaimer 3,7 39,806.Emest H. Bushnell, Los Angeles, J 06070 K. Rank, Hacienda Heights,

and Tony Radeolci, Los, Angeles, Calif. DIAPHRAGM SPOUT AS- SEMBLY. Patent dated June 19, 1973. Disclaimer filed Feb. 23, 1976, by the assignee, Pearl White Bletcher, pert interest.

Hereby enters this disclaimer to her entire interest in all claims of said patent.

[Oflicz'al Gazette June 1, 1.976.] 

1. A diverter spout assembly comprising body means having a fluid inlet chamber and a fluid outlet chamber separated by a partition having an aperture therein, said inlet chamber having means adaptable for connection with a supply of fluid, flexible diaphragm means extending into said aperture in said partition, said diaphragm means having an opening therein through which fluid may flow and having a surface facing said outlet chamber, and plunger means movably mounted in said outlet chamber, said plunger means having at least an opening therein for allowing fluid to flow from said outlet chamber to the exterior of said spout assembly, said plunger means being movable within said outlet chamber substantiallY traverse to the axis of said diaphragm means and including a member cooperating with said surface of said diaphragm means when said plunger means is in a closed position to prevent flow of liquid through said opening in said diaphragm means to said outlet chamber.
 2. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein said partition has an upstream face at said aperture therein, and said diaphragm means includes a flanged portion abutting said face of said partition and a depending portion extending through said aperture in said partition.
 3. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein said plunger means include lift button means coupled with a plunger body by stem means extending through an opening in a portion of said body means defining said outlet chamber for enabling reciprocal movement of said plunger body by said lift button means, and said member of said plunger means includes a flat surface on said plunger body for engaging said surface of said diaphragm means, and said plunger body includes a plurality of liquid directing vanes.
 4. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein said body means and plunger means are formed of plastic material.
 5. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein said partition includes a shoulder defining said aperture in said partition, and said shoulder has upstream and downstream faces, and said flexible diaphragm means includes a first portion extending through said aperture and terminating in said surface facing said outlet chamber, and includes a second portion which is inclined and bears against said upstream face of said shoulder and defines an upstream groove in said diaphragm means for enabling fluid pressure within said inlet chamber to aid in sealing said diaphragm means at said partition and with the member of said plunger means when said plunger means is in closed position.
 6. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein said partition has a shoulder defining said aperture therein, and said diaphragm means includes an upstream substantially V-shaped portion having an apex for contacting the upstream face of said shoulder of said partition, and including a depending skirt terminating in said surface facing said outlet chamber for engaging said member of said plunger means when said plunger means is in a closed position.
 7. An assembly as in claim 6 including adapter means mounted in the inlet chamber of said body means and coupled with said partition for supplying fluid from said inlet chamber through said opening in said diaphragm means.
 8. An assembly as in claim 6 wherein said plunger means includes external lift button means coupled with a plunger body by stem means extending through an opening in a portion of said body means defining said outlet chamber for enabling reciprocal movement of said plunger body by said lift button means, and said member of said plunger means includes an upstream flat surface on said plunger body for engaging said surface of said depending portion of said diaphragm means.
 9. An assembly as in claim 6 wherein said body means and plunger means are formed of plastic material.
 10. An assembly as in claim 1 wherein said partition includes a fluid inlet connector, and including adapter means mounted in the inlet chamber of said body means and having a second end adapted to be coupled with a plumbing system, said adapter means being adjustably mounted within said body means while coupled with said connector to enable said spout assembly to be coupled with a plumbing system through walls of different thicknesses.
 11. A diverter spout assembly comprising body means having a partition therein, said partition having an aperture therethrough and an upstream face about said aperture terminating in an inlet connector, flexible diaphragm means mounted in said body means and extending into said aperture in said partition, said diaphragm means including an upstream annular section having a portion for engaging said face of said partition and an outwaRdly inclined lip for abutting the inner wall of said inlet connector, and including a downstream depending skirt having a passageway therethrough, and said skirt extending through said aperture and terminating in a surface facing an outlet chamber downstream of said partition, and plunger means movably mounted in said outlet chamber, said plunger means having an opening therein for allowing fluid to flow from said outlet chamber to the exterior of said spout assembly, said plunger means including a face member cooperating with said surface of said depending skirt of said diaphragm means when said plunger means is moved to a closed position to prevent flow of liquid through said passageway to said outlet chamber.
 12. A spout assembly comprising body means having a fluid inlet chamber and a fluid outlet chamber separated by a partition having an aperture therein, flexible diaphragm means extending into said aperture in said partition, said diaphragm means having an opening therein through which fluid may flow and having a surface facing said outlet chamber, plunger means movably mounted in said outlet chamber, said plunger means being movable within said outlet chamber substantially traverse to the axis of said diaphragm means, and including a member cooperating with said surface of said diaphragm means when said plunger means is in a closed position to prevent flow of liquid through said opening in said diaphragm means to said outlet chamber, connector means coupled with said partition for supplying fluid through said aperture in said partition, and adapter means mounted within said inlet chamber for connecting said spout assembly to a plumbing system, said adapter means including a member having a first end adjustably coupled with said connector in a relatively fluid-tight relationship, and having a second end adapted to be coupled with a plumbing system, said member being supported within said inlet chamber of said body means and being axially adjustable for enabling the spout assembly to be coupled with a plumbing system through walls of different thicknesses by standard length nipple means. 